Trott Brook Gardens LLC

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Ramsey, MN
Trott Brook Gardens LLC

Creating habitats and harvests. Native and edible plant designer/gardener in Twin Cities metro.

07/12/2025

Today I volunteered at for their Dragonfly festival. I helped the visitors get nets to catch dragonflies/damsel flies. Then together we tried to identify the various species we caught. I learned so much and it was a lot of fun.

There are around 150 species of dragonflies in Minnesota but they all emerge at different times of the year. As volunteers and visitors we caught around 11 different types of dragonflies and damsel flies. We recorded each species that we found and the data will be used for future research at the park.

I found it addicting going out with a net and catching dragonflies. For those Harry Potter fans, it felt like I was a seeker trying to capture a snitch. Dragonflies are amazing flyers and can be hard to catch. Their eyes allow them to have an almost 360 degree view and they process images faster than we can so to them it looks like I was moving in slow motion.

For more information on dragonflies please visit the MN dragonfly society.

06/22/2025

The prairie garden I volunteer to manage in my neighborhood is starting to put out its summer colors. Just this spring was out here conducting a prescribed burn. It’s amazing to see invigorated growth that these plants experience after a burn. Even some small plugs that I planted last summer survived and are starting to flower.

05/28/2025

Yikes…

Still amazes me that conventional landscapes still plant floodplain tree species surrounded by lawn. It looks fine for maybe 5 years but as the tree matures problems start to arise when trying to maintain a turf grass lawn. The tree’s shallow roots start to spread and more water is needed in order to keep that grass growing because the tree roots outcompete the grass. Then once the canopy spreads it casts heavy shade and turf grass will become patchy. Instead of forcing grass to grow under floodplain trees that will end up failing we should grow what thrives with those trees in nature. Depending on a site and soil conditions, creating a shade garden consisting of Virginia waterleaf, violets, toothwort, wild leek, cutleaf coneflower, currants, or gooseberries is a much better option. These plants naturally grow under maples and basswoods/linden trees. Plus they offer a delicious spring salad.

05/22/2025

Two days straight with nonstop rain. Took the time to finally crack some shagbark hickories. I made some hickory milk with about 127g worth of shells and nutmeats. While making the milk I noticed an oily sheen rising to the top of the pan. I couldn’t waste the oil so I decided to try to render it by boiling off the water. Made about 1/8th cup of hickory oil. I’m excited to see how it tastes and I look forward to making more oil in the future. Ideally with a cold press.

05/12/2025

Hopefully all you queen bees had a nice Mother’s Day yesterday!

Finally saw some pollinator action on the apple trees this weekend. Looking forward to tasting tree ripen apples this year.

05/10/2025

My 3 pawpaws overwintered successfully. Hoping for good things to come in the next years.

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Ramsey, MN

Website

http://trottbrookgardens.com/

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